YouGarden Fig 'brown Turkey' In 2L Pot

Picking plump, juicy figs straight from a tree is one of life's greatest pleasures, especially when served up with some wafer-thin slices of Parma ham and a drizzle of honey. Divine.

Boasting masses of large, pear-shaped fruit with deep red flesh that are ready for picking in late summer and early autumn, Brown Turkey is perfect in a large pot or grown in the ground. Even before the fruit is ripe the large shrub or small tree adds a presence to the garden as branches are clothed with large, deeply lobed leaves. Despite originating from warmer climes, this amazing fig is incredibly tough, easily shrugging off temperatures down to -15C in the UK.

Extremely drought tolerant when established, figs do best in a brightly lit, sunny spot. Keep plants productive and compact by restricting roots by growing in large pots or planting in 60cm square planting holes fill the base with a layer of gravel and line sides with paving slabs.

Specifications

• Availability: September to May
• Planting time: February to November
• Flowering time: March to April
• Fruiting time: June to August
• Supplied as an established plant in 17cm pot about 20-25cm tall
• Dormant in Winter
• Skin irritant with sunlight

Top Tips

• Restrict the root growth of all figs by growing in pots on a patio, or planting the pots into the ground
• Keep well watered when fruits swell up

Care Information

Planting Advice for Fig Brown Turkey

• Pot-grown shrubs can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. If in doubt, err towards spring but remember to keep pots well-watered so that the soil does not dry out.
• Shrub roots generally tend to spread out rather than down, so dig a planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting, and mix some well-rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill one the shrub is in place.
• We've found that a square hole is better than a round one as the new roots, once they reach the edges tend to grow in a circle round the circumference of the hole whereas when they reach the corners of a square hole, they find it easier to grow through.
• Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow them to drain.
• Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots.
• Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker.
• Place your shrub in the hole at the same level as the pot.
• Refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling).
• Firm in the soil with your heel, avoiding the root ball and water well.
• Mulch around the base of the plant with a collar, compost, gravel, bark etc.
• Alternatively plant in a large container filled with good quality, soil-based compost.

Aftercare Advice for your Ficus

• If you’re planting in spring or summer, water well and regularly for the first few months.
• Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons.

Pruning Advice for Brown Turkey Fig

• This standard tree should be pruned to keep its shape and size. When pruning, aim for a balanced top that allows light into the centre of the canopy.
• Prune twice a year:
  Early spring: remove any branches that spoil the shape, or any that are crossing or damaged, along with any suckers appearing from the ground or lower stem. If needed cut back one or two branches that have become too long and bare to a 5cm (2in) stub to stimulate new growth from the base of the branch.
  Early summer: pinch out the new growth at five or six leaves. Do not prune later growth.